As a Mother of six and Grandmother of four, I'm at that age where computers were not one of those high priority things in life when I was younger. In fact they were barely even a known entity and just coming into play into the world, whether it was business or personal. Back then computers were huge, not anything you could put into a small bag and take with you anywhere you went or even small enough to stick into your purse.

Technology has advanced so far over the past few years it's amazing. I never had any kind of formal training and have learned by the seat of my pants "so to speak". Due to this I needed a mentor to help me learn the world of computers and the internet as it progressed. My mentors were my children. What wonderful mentors they were! They taught me how to navigate the different programs on the computer. They also taught me how to fix problems and errors when I would have them.

With the ever changing world of computers and the internet there is always the need for mentoring. Many people could use a mentor to help them learn the even just navigating the World Wide Web while others need to learn how to use both the computer and the WWW but either don't know someone to ask for help or are afraid to ask. It could be as simple as just teaching the basics of a computer so a person can get online and email loved ones to keep in touch for a cheaper cost than long distance phone calls. They might want to learn to shop online and don't know how to navigate the shopping venues and carts or are afraid of the safety and security of online shopping.

Do you have skills you are able to pass on by volunteering as a mentor? Are you able to help someone learn any other programs?

Most of those wanting to learn these things are either elderly or disabled but lack the financial ability to pay for these services. Volunteering to do something like this puts a smile on their face and warmth in more hearts than you can imagine! And if you are in need of a mentor please, don't be afraid to ask. Mentors are around and even though it may take a bit to find one for your particular need it's worth the time to look.

Good post, Gen, and so true. I'm in MS and my cousin is in CA. I did a fair amount of teaching her how to master her computer. She finally hired one of her grand children to teach her what I couldn't long distance.

I have another friend who has been using computers for 30 years. I think she is afraid of them. She somehow shut down the whole system at Raytheon. It's just funny.

Oh me, oh my. I know.... I remember when computers took up an entire ROOM... And the printers were big, bulky machines. I have never had any formal training, and I am amazed at the number of times people come to me to ask me how to do something on the computer. My first experience with such things was my first job with a computer. I worked in a pharmacy and the computer was a DOS computer. There was no such thing as Windows. No such thing as a mouse. No such thing as the world wide web. You had to type commands on the screen and use the F keys to do everything. Soon I found ways to do stuff that the boss didn't even know about. That was cool to be able to show him, "look at this!" I have still never had any formal training, and people still ask me how to do things all the time. I am always glad to help, even if I can't answer the question, because, face it, I do not know everything, and I am just as glad to find friends on Addoway and Facebook who can help me when I can't figure something out. Yay for my mentors too!!!

The stupidest question is the one never asked. I love helping whenever I can with computer stuff, especially when it comes to helping somebody get started selling online. I also like to shop for people who can't find stuff on their own. If it's on the net, I will find it. Great post.

BeewitchingItems | September 1st 2011 at 1314910454

Great blog, I learned how to use the computer when I still worked for Southern Bell (now AT&T) and I manage to do the things that I need to do, but I am always learning more. Thank goodness for my oldest son, he is my guru. I have been known to teach someone how to do something, but that is not very often.

emeraldtigger | September 1st 2011 at 1314916482

Yes, you are so right, I attended Tucker Univ. computer 101. thank you again Thomas. I learnd a lot from you, and like I said, I know you had plenty to do of you own, but you took the time and I appreciate it. Sometimes people are afraid to ask also, because they are told no, because people can't spare the time, or can and don't want to.......thanks again